6709.12_20
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
ALASKA REGION (REGION 10)
JUNEAU, ALASKA
FSH 6709.12– SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
Supplement No.: R-10 6709.12-2006-2
Effective Date: June 23, 2006
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: /s/ Mary Anne Young (for)
DENNIS E. BSCHOR
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 06/07/2006
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last R-10
Supplement to this Handbook was 6709.12-2006-1 to chapter 10.
New Document
6709.12_20
11 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6709.12,20 (6709.12-94-1, 6/24/94)
11 Pages
Digest:
This supplement converts the format and style to the new FSH template using the agency’s
current corporate word processing software.
Although some minor typographical and technical errors have been corrected, this supplement
contains no changes to substantive direction.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6709.12- SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
20 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
The Forest Service Confined Space Program is designed to make employees who must enter
confined workspaces aware of the hazards they may encounter, and to protect them by providing
training, monitoring equipment, requiring certain work procedures, and not allowing entry into
certain confined workspaces. See 20 - Exhibit 01 for a listing of types of confined spaces,
required program elements, and work procedures.
20 - EXHIBIT 01 IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT
1. Authority. 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-required Confined Spaces, and 29 CFR
1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy.
2. Objective. To protect employees from the hazards of entry into confined work spaces.
3. Policy.
a. Entry into confined workspaces will be made using the "alternate entry procedure"
authorized in 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(1).
Should conditions within a confined space exceed the limits of this authority
(atmospheric conditions cannot be controlled by continuous ventilation or other
hazards prevent safe entry), entry will be prohibited. In this case, the work will be
contracted.
In all cases, entry is prohibited until initial atmospheric testing has been done from
the outside, and purging, using forced air ventilation, has been done for the required
period of time (See 20 - Exhibit 02.)
b. Only trained employees equipped with proper protective and monitoring
equipment will be allowed to enter confined work spaces.
c. Work required in confined workspaces where entry by employees is not allowed
will be contracted. Contractors must be in full compliance with the standard, provide
documentation, and a copy of their confined space program.
d. Confined workspaces will be identified and marked with signs, or in the case of
multiple spaces in one location, a site plan and warning shall be posted where
employees normally report to work.
e. Where practical, confined spaces will be locked so as to prevent public entry or
entry by unauthorized employees.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6709.12- SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
20 - EXHIBIT 02
Confined Space Pre-Entry Certification
Use this checklist and certification of safe entry conditions each time actual entry into confined
space is required. It is not required if the work can be done from outside the space.
Yes
()
No
()
Does your knowledge of industrial or other discharges indicate his area is likely to remain free
of dangerous air contaminants while occupied?
()
()
3.
Are you certified in operation of the gas monitor to be used?
()
()
4.
Has a gas monitor functional test (Bump Test) been performed this date on the gas monitor to
be used?
()
()
5.
Did you test the atmosphere of the confined space (prior to entry)?
()
()
6.
Did the atmosphere check as acceptable (no alarms given)?
()
()
7.
Will the atmosphere be continuously monitored while the space is occupied?
()
()
8.
Is forced air continuous ventilation adequate to maintain the permit space free of atmosphere
hazards?
()
()
9.
Will barriers/warning devices be needed and are they in place?
()
()
10.
Have electrical and mechanical sources of energy been locked out and tagged?
()
()
11.
Is positive communications with a source of help present?
()
()
12.
Does the second person understand their role?
()
()
1.
Did your survey of the surrounding area show it to be free of hazards such as drifting vapors
from tanks, piping, or sewers?
2.
Notice:
If any of the above questions are answered "no" do not enter. Contact your immediate supervisor.
Name of 2nd person:
Job Location:
Crew Supervisor:
Date:
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 20- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
4. Responsibility.
a. Forest Supervisors shall identify supervisors and employees authorized to enter
confined work spaces, and will train and equip them with the necessary equipment to
ensure safe operations. They shall also ensure that contracted operations are in
compliance with 29 CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1910.147.
b. Supervisors and employees authorized to enter confined spaces shall control and
authorize all entries and records of training for authorized entrants.
c. Employees authorized entry shall comply with program requirements.
5. Definitions.
a. Alternate Procedures. Entry procedures into confined spaces where it can be
demonstrated the only hazard of the space is actual, or potential hazardous
atmosphere, and continuous forced air ventilation is sufficient to maintain the space
safe for entry.
b. Confined Space. A space that:
(1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform
assigned work;
(2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels,
silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits, and spaces that may have limited means
of entry); and
(3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
c. Entry. The action by which a person passes through an opening into a permitrequired confined space. Entry includes ensuing work activities in that space, and is
considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane
of an opening into the space.
d. Hazardous Atmosphere. An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of
death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided
from a permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following
causes:
(1) Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable
limit (LFL).
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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(2) Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL.
(3) Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent.
(4) Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a "dose" or a permissible
exposure limit is published.
(5) Any other atmospheric condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health.
e. Lockout/Tagout. Refers to an OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, that applies to
the control of energy during the maintenance of equipment and machines.
f. Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere. An atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent
oxygen by volume.
g. Permit-required Confined Space (Permit Space). A confined space that has one or
more of the following characteristics:
(1) Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.
(2) Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.
(3) Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated
by inwardly converging walls, or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a
smaller cross-section.
(4) Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.
6. General Program Requirements.
a. U.S. Forest Service.
(1) Inventory and evaluate confined work spaces and identify confined spaces.
Periodically update the inventory as new facilities come on line. See the sample form
in 20 - Exhibit 03.
20 - EXHIBIT 03 IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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(2) Sign confined workspaces using wording such as, "Confined Workspace, Entry by
Authorized Employees Only."
(3) A written alternate entry program will be developed for local conditions and
confined space situations. This written program must be available to employees or
their representatives and must contain these elements:
(a) Location of monitoring and inspection data that supports allowing entry using the
alternate procedure rule, 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(i).
(b) How the monitoring and inspection data is to be made available to entry
employees.
(c) Details of how work procedures comply with requirements of the alternate
procedure:
-
Elimination of hazards before entrance covers are removed.
-
Steps to be taken to guard entrance openings after cover removal.
-
Atmospheric testing procedures before entry and periodic testing during entry
(oxygen, flammable gases and vapors, toxic air contaminants, in that order).
-
What to do if a hazardous condition is detected after entry.
-
Use of continuous air ventilation equipment.
-
Written certification verifying the space is safe for entry.
b. Contractors. Work in confined spaces may be contracted. Certain duties remain
with the host employer:
(1) Notify the contractor that entry under the contract must be in compliance with 29
CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1910.147.
(2) Inform the contractor of hazards identified with the space or spaces to be entered,
and coordinate entry procedures when both the host and contractor will be working in
or near the confined spaces.
(3) The contractor has the responsibility to ask about hazards and to inform the
Forest Service of the entry program to be followed and any hazards encountered
during the work.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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c. Required Equipment. This equipment will be provided at no cost to employees. It
shall be maintained in good working order, and employees will be trained in proper
care and use. Proper maintenance of test equipment is extremely important to assure
accurate readings of atmosphere within the space.
(1) Testing and Monitoring Equipment. Will measure oxygen content, combustible
gases and vapors, and toxic gases and vapors. The equipment must:
(a) Be able to test for oxygen, combustible gases, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen
sulfide.
(b) Have an audible alarm system.
(c) Be portable so a worker can carry into the space.
(d) Have remote sensing capability with either an aspirator or mechanical pump.
(e) Be equipped with a calibration kit.
(f) Be rechargeable
(2) Forced-Air Ventilation Equipment. Provides clean toxic-free air to obtain and
maintain acceptable entry conditions. This equipment can be gas or electrically
powered and be equipped with a minimum of 20 feet of hose. An AC/DC adapter to
supply electric power for lighting is recommended.
(3) Communication Equipment. Allows alerting entrants of the need to evacuate the
space. This will vary from voice commands to more elaborate equipment, depending
on the situation. Emergency notification will require equipment capable of reaching a
source of assistance.
(4) Personal Protective Equipment. This could include eye protection, coveralls, and
gloves as described in FS Form 6700-7, Job Hazard Analysis (See 20 - Exhibit 04).
20 - EXHIBIT 04 IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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(5) Lighting Equipment. Capable of providing enough light to allow work and to exit
the space quickly in an emergency.
(6) Barriers, Signs, Tape, and Other Protective Devices. Necessary to protect
entrants from external hazards.
(7) Lockout Devices. Locks and tags to isolate electrical and mechanical energy.
d. General Hazards of Confined Workspaces and General Safeguards. Any confined
space may have associated safety and health hazards. These include:
(1) Wet or damp conditions which favor electrical hazards; rusted and deteriorated or
slippery metal surfaces; the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other micro-organisms
which could result in the buildup of toxic gases; and an increased possibility of the
presence of disease causing organisms.
(2) Unexpected electrical or mechanical energy release.
(3) A high chance of slips, trips, and falls.
(4) The quality of the atmosphere in a confined space is suspected.
e. Safeguards.
(1) Always assume a safety and health hazard exists.
(2) Atmospheric hazards are almost always not visible. Always sample before
entering or allowing entry.
(3) Continuous forced air ventilation is required whenever an employee is in the
space. Pre-entry purging shall be done after atmospheric sampling. See 20 - Exhibit
05 for purge times.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 20- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM
20 - EXHIBIT 05
Fresh Air Purge Time Based on Volume of
Confined Space (cubic feet) and Blower
Capacity (cubic feet per minute)
Size of conf. space
(cf)
Size of cf blower
(cfm)
Required Purge Time
(minutes)
0-499
500
1000
2000
3000
4000
Minimum of 5 minutes
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
5
8
15
22
30
Assume average blower capacity commercially available is 800 - 1390 cfm.
(4) Sources of energy must be isolated before entry.
(5) A second person must be present to act as an attendant and must not enter the
space under any circumstances.
f. Lockout/Tagout Procedures. The electrical and mechanical energy which may be
present in confined spaces must be isolated before entry and service or maintenance
work is performed. Protection of workers from these sources of injury is one of the
first planning steps. Water tanks with electric float valves, grinding pumps, and
heavy hinged door and hatch openings are typical. Many water tanks are remotely
located from electrical control panels making it difficult to control unintentional
reactivation of energy.
(1) Utilities and mechanical equipment serving the space must be isolated and
disconnected in preparation for entry.
(2) Main breakers to electrical service must be positively locked out of service using
a padlock, locking device, and an "out of service" tag firmly affixed to the lock.
Throwing a circuit breaker or disconnect switch to the "off" position is not a positive
lockout.
(3) Circuit breaker panels must be locked shut to prevent opening while work is in
progress. If necessary, add a hasp to the panel box to allow the use of a padlock.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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(4) Doors, grates, and hinged hatch covers have stored mechanical energy which
would be released if allowed to fall. Positively lock and support their weight while
work is in progress.
g. Cleaning of Confined Spaces. The introduction of chemicals for the purpose of
disinfecting and cleaning can also result in the creating of a hazardous atmosphere.
Incompatible chemicals, such as ammonia and bleach, when used in combination, can
create toxic gas. Inappropriately strong solutions of common chemicals can cause
asphyxiation. Procedures for cleaning operations in confined spaces:
(1) Continuous forced air ventilation is required for the full time cleaning operations
are being done.
(2) Flammable or combustible chemicals are prohibited from use as cleaners or
disinfectants.
(3) Ammonia and bleach shall not be mixed or used together in any combination.
(4) Review the Material Safety Data Sheet for all chemicals to be used for cleaning.
Substitute safer chemicals where possible.
(5) Use a commercially prepared 5 percent mix of bleach diluted with water for
disinfecting water tanks under continuous forced ventilation
h. Written Entry Certification.
(1) A written entry certificate will be completed before entry to any confined space.
The certificate verifies the space is safe for entry and that the measures required by
paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of 29 CFR 1910.146 have been taken.
(2) The certificate must contain the date, location of the space, length of time to be
occupied, and be signed by the supervisor. It is valid only for the length of time
required to complete the work which required entry. Retain the certificates for 12
months and review annually to monitor the adequacy of pre-entry procedures.
i. Training. Employees who will be supervising entry procedures and employees
who will be making entries will receive training in:
(1) Work procedures allowed under this program, local written program plans for
confined space, Job Hazard Analysis for confined space, 29 CFR 1910.146, Permitrequired Confined Spaces and 29 CFR 1910.147, Control of Hazardous Energy.
(2) Hazard recognition and awareness of the potential health and safety hazards to be
found in confined spaces.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2006-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/23/2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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(3) Use and limitations of the atmospheric monitoring equipment provided. Care and
maintenance of the equipment will also be covered.
(4) Use of personal protective equipment and requirements for its use.
(5) Use of ventilation and other equipment needed for entry procedures.
(6) The dangers of incompatible chemicals used in cleaning and use of material
safety data sheet (MSDS) information.
(7) What to do in case of an emergency.
(8) Lockout/tagout procedures to be used in all spaces where it is necessary to isolate
electrical and mechanical energy sources.
(9) Responsibilities of supervisors, entrants, and persons assigned as attendants.